MC5 side windows and ventilation

[artvonne]

  My Bus has only two sliders, right rear and front left. I assumed I could find a right front and left rear slider, but it was suggested elsewhere that this setup was the only option? I would really like to keep the original glass frames, but would like slides at all four corners. Any knowledge if the windows from a -6, -7, or -8, are interchangeable to the -5???

  I already know about Peninsula windows, and if thats the only option I will consider it, but I would prefer to exhaust all my other options first.

  My other questing concerns the forward roof vent. I assume (theres that word again) it is an exhaust vent. I took down most of the inner ceiling, I intend to open the inner bowl of it up, remove the destination scroll etc., re-contour the framing and square it off above the windshield. So I am trying to determine if I should keep the vent or just seal it up and forget about it. Along with side sliding windows, if I can get enough ventilation I wouldnt need to run A/C so much going down the road. I hate A/C, prefer lots of warm fresh air over stale cold air blown through a sweaty alloy evaporator any day. But some RV's and Buses are so closed up and have such poor fresh air ventilation you need the AC on the minute the temps go over 70F.

 

[bevans6]

My bus is the same as yours - passenger side front and drivers side rear sliders, limited to only 6" travel.  I took the limiters off the front window and managed to get it to slide almost all the way open, and I installed a screen on the outside that is pretty unobtrusive.   The rears I installed the Peninsula windows, I found that unless I wanted to go to the RV windows it was the only solution.  I expect that I will get a Pen window for the drivers side front at some point, because like you I want to retain the bus appearance and not go to an RV exterior style.  I found no other source of OEM style replacement windows that actually fit the bus openings.  They have a niche, no one else is in it, but thankfully the windows are great quality and fit perfectly into the OEM window frames.  People do rig screens and just undo the emergency escape latches and swing the windows out and prop them up with a stick, but I didn't like that option.

Brian

[artvonne]

 Brian said:
I expect that I will get a Pen window for the drivers side front at some point, because like you I want to retain the bus appearance and not go to an RV exterior style.[/quote] 

  Are you referring to the drivers side window with that silly toll booth slider? I would like to have a slider there.

[/quote] I found no other source of OEM style replacement windows that actually fit the bus openings.  They have a niche, no one else is in it, but thankfully the windows are great quality and fit perfectly into the OEM window frames. [/quote]

  I will look into it again, seems I didnt like the price last time I looked. But if its the only option....

[/quote] People do rig screens and just undo the emergency escape latches and swing the windows out and prop them up with a stick, but I didn't like that option. [/quote]

  I have seen older RV's or trailers, cant recall now, something had a rod or lever you could push out or swing to hold a window like that open at different depths. Thats okay when parked but not what I would prefer doing going down the road.

  What about your front roof vent, did yours have one?? does it do much??

[bevans6]

I was thinking of the drivers side of the living room area, directly across from the stock slider that I put a screen on.  I don't like the prices of the Pen windows either, around $350 for tinted single pane slider, but to be completely honest I think they sell an good window for an honest price.  I was very happy with the two I already installed into the bedroom, ordering them kind of sucked but I definitely felt I got value for money.  I want to put screened sliders on the door and the drivers window, but that isn't a priority.  Getting cross ventilation in the salon is more pressing...

I figure the windows cost more than RV windows, but I get to save the money I would spend covering up the whole side of the bus and cutting square holes in to install the RV windows.  Plus I want the bus to look like a bus, for some reason.

Brian

[artvonne]

Plus I want the bus to look like a bus, for some reason.

Brian

  Maybe because you dont want it to look like just another "RV"? I know thats the bigger part of my reasoning.

  $350 isn't so bad I guess, for some reason I had it in my head it was more than that.

[RICH GREGG]

I have 2 stock windows on each 2 upfront in living room 2 in bedroom 1 rv at kitchen  and on on either side of bathroom. My bathroom is walk through one in bathtub and one at bathroom sink. The stock windows have screens you open then open window  close screens descent air flow but most go,s to the back. Very nice sitting still when a good breeze is going it is nice for her to just air out on hot days to Richard.

[artvonne]

  Rich, are you saying you have stock OE sliders at all four corners??

[RICH GREGG]

Yes look over at the mci site there is pictures plus have all original manuals I can look up the front vent and see what it is there for have console above built around destination sign but is still their access through like a glove box door but have seen the louvers in the roof never gave it much thought but figured it was come kind of vent the old gms had like a airplane vent on left side pillar must be same kind of idea to bad we are so far apart Richard.

[Lin]

I am sure that my 5a has the original slider windows.  The front section of each pulls open all the way.  The back section does not open at all.  I have mounted unframed screening on the inside of all of them held on with Velcro.  That is a little bit of a nuisance since one must peel back the screen to open/close the window ,but it does work.  It would be nice to have sliders for the driver's and front door window, but I am not in a hurry with that. 

[RICH GREGG]

Look at the old pictures may I think shows them inside and outside Rich.

[bevans6]

The thing to do would be to find out if 5A windows fit 5B buses.  If you were lucky, all you would have to do is pull the hinge pins, pop the emergency latches and take the window off, and put the other one on - if you could find them!  The later buses assumed the AC worked...

Brian

[Lin]

I'm sure Peninsula would be able to tell you what windows are interchangeable.  Although finding such windows could be difficult and maybe even expensive.  Possibly, it the 5a windows would work, Peninsula could also connect to to someone who recently upgrade and has the old windows available.

[christopher]

what model 5 do you have?
I have been looking for 5c sliders for a long time. I think they only were installed in cross corners. Not Sure. I did get sliders from an MC8. I was able to use the side sliders. They are a tad bigger. You will have to trim the upper gasket for it it fit.  but it fits and work fine.
The mc8  angle sliders will not work on a 5c because they are not long enough.
As soon as i can find a good aluminum welder, I will  the splice two windows into one.
Otherwise ill get penn glass.
Chris